Grant supports new HVAC equipment and helps ACC surpass student training goals.

Austin Community College District (ACC) welcomed the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Granger ISD for a special check presentation on the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program. TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza presented ACC with a $64,774 check at the ACC Riverside Campus on Wednesday, September 3.

“Partnerships like these are about better serving our students and their needs. When our partners recognize the opportunity to step in and support, it changes lives. Together, we are opening doors to training, jobs, and brighter futures for the communities we serve,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “Our students are talented and determined, and with the right support, they can thrive.”

This JET grant was awarded to the College in August 2024. The check-signing event marked the close of its first year and a celebration of what the funds made possible. At the start of the grant, ACC committed to providing training for 120 students. Over the past year, the College exceeded that goal, training nearly 170 students.

“I found out about ACC because of the Riverside Campus. Then I learned about the Free Tuition Program. It made it really easy to get started,” said Jovani Martinez, ACC student.”I see the drive in the students around me. Having and working on this new equipment. It is a motivator to get your hands in there and work.”

The grant funded the purchase and installation of specialized HVAC equipment that expands hands-on learning opportunities and strengthens workforce training pathways in critical industries.

“There is a growing demand for skilled trades in Texas and employers are continuing to add jobs and continuing to expand,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “The big question these businesses are asking is, where is our workforce? It is coming from schools that value career and technical education, like Austin Community College and Granger Independent School District,” said Esparza. “I am very excited to award more than $400,000 to these schools and I commend their efforts to secure industry-aligned equipment. For students, there is nothing more motivating than seeing the equipment you will see in the field.”

The JET Grant Program provides funding to cover start-up costs for career and technical education programs. It supports the purchase of equipment to establish or expand programs leading to certifications, licenses, or degrees in skilled training fields such as HVAC, nursing, automotive technology, welding, and more. By equipping schools with industry-standard tools, JET ensures students are prepared for in-demand occupations identified by local employers.

The JET Grant p rogram provides funding to cover start-up costs for career and technical education (CTE) programs. JET grants support the purchase of equipment to establish or expand programs leading to certifications, licenses, or degrees in CTE fields such as HVAC, nursing, automotive technology, welding, and more. By equipping schools with industry-standard tools, JET grants ensure students are prepared for in-demand occupations identified by local employers.

ACC’s Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program offers a Certificate, an Associate of Applied Science degree, and Occupational Skills Awards. Students train on a wide range of equipment—from older systems to the latest technologies—taught by experienced industry professionals. Graduates are prepared to work in residential, commercial, or industrial air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration.

For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/hart.

Tags: Granger ISD, HVAC, JET, Jobs and Education for Texans, Skilled Trades, Texas Workforce Commission